It’s important to use a shovel that is the right height for you.
Retford, Nottinghamshire (PRWEB UK) 30 October 2013
The task of shovelling snow sends an estimated 11,000 people to A&E each year. Common injuries include bad backs, broken bones, head injuries and even heart attacks.
With weather experts predicting the worst winter in decades the first snow could be only be weeks away.
The new Eazi-Shovel from Eazitools has been designed to make shoveling snow less strenuous and reduce the need for the user to bend their back.
“It’s important to use a shovel that is the right height for you,” says Rebecca Ball, Managing Director of Eazitools, an innovative range of garden, stable and field tools which have been ergonomically designed by experts to maximise safety and reduce the general stresses and strains endured when undertaking labour intensive jobs. She adds, “using a shovel with too short a shaft will require more bending and put pressure on your lower back. Clearing snow from driveways, footpaths and roads before it becomes icy and compacted is much easier, but this also needs to be done carefully to avoid injury. Making sure you adopt the right posture when shoveling snow and using the right tool for the job will help reduce the strain on your back.”
Here’s Rebecca’s ten top tips for back-friendly snow-shoveling:
1. Make sure you prepare your body for the task you are about to do. Some simple stretching exercises or even walking for five to 10 minutes beforehand can help prevent aches and pains.
2. Use proper posture. Instead of using your back muscles to lift, take advantage of the stronger muscles in your thighs and buttocks. These muscles are specifically designed for this type of work.
3. To lift the snow, make sure you bend your knees, leaning over from the hips and keeping your back straight from the base of your neck all the way down to the end of your spine.
4. Instead of heaving snow over your shoulder, move your whole body to where you want the snow to go then just turn the shovel to let it fall there. Don’t throw it off or twist your body.
5. Avoid shovelling for too long. Make sure you take regular breaks and drink lots of water. Hydrated muscles are healthy muscles.
6. After a few minutes of work, straighten up, and with hands on the lumbar area, bend gently backwards. Repeat often.
7. Try to only shovel fresh snow as this is far easier to move than compacted snow.
8. Don’t pick up too much snow at a time. Overloading your shovel will put extra strain on your muscles risking injury. Where possible push the snow as this is far easier on your back than lifting.
9. Remember, pain acts as a warning sign, if you feel any stop what you are doing.
10. Finally, always warm down with some stretching exercises. After exercise, it is normal to feel a little stiff the next day, but if pain persists see your doctor or physiotherapist.
The Eazi-Shovel is priced at £29.99. For further details visit http://www.eazitools.co.uk or telephone 01427 884394.
Pictures available on request.
ENDS
For further information, in the first instance, please contact:
Rebecca Ball
01427 884394
becky(at)eazitools(dot)co(dot)uk
Background information:
Eazitools was launched at GLEE in 2005 with one simple aim, to make difficult, labour intensive jobs easier and less stressful on the users’ muscles and back.
It is a small but growing family run organisation based near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
The Eazitool’s concept began when an unfulfilled niche was spotted for making traditional garden tools more user-friendly, in particular tools that are lightweight yet strong and safer to use.